Controlled energy release system for use in signals, flares, and other high energy lighting devices



Dec. 17, 1968 w. PL 3,416,872

CONTROLLED ENERGY RELEASE SYSTEM FOR USE IN SIGNALS, FLARES, AND OTHER HIGH ENERGY LIGHTING nnvxcms Filed July 14, 1967 Egg. 1

IN VEN TOR. mLL/AM 1.. R/PLEY Afro/2g United States Patent 3,416,872 CONTROLLED ENERGY RELEASE SYSTEM FOR USE IN SIGNALS, FLARES, AND OTHER HIGH ENERGY LIGHTING DEVICES William L. Ripley, Bedford, Ind., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed July 14, 1967, Ser. No. 654,035 3 Claims. (Cl. 431344) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A signal, flare, or other high energy lighting device having a container of trimethyl boron gas and a container of oxygen each conducted through metered valves to a common combustion area to ignite spontaneously and be controlled on, off, and in light intensity.

Background of the invention This invention relates to light signals, such as flares or other high energy lighting devices, and more particularly to such devices that are self-igniting, that can be turned off, on," or to varying light intensities, and that can be reused repeatedly.

Many types of signals, flares, and illuminants exist which are conventionally solid compositions composed of an oxidizer, a fuel, a color emitter, a binder, and sometimes other additives such as color intensifiers. The performance of these devices is limited and controlled by their design and the user has little control except to ignite the device. Once burning it cannot be extinguished, and if the ignition system fails, the round is lost. Each different type of performance (duration of burning time, light or energy output, color, etc.) requires a different flare, signal, or illuminant design. While pyrophoric elements are known to self-ignite when exposed to the atmosphere or oxygen, these elements used to produce flames or burning go uncontrolled as hereinabove stated for signals, flares, and illuminants.

Summary of the invention In the present invention the pyrophoric properties of such spontaneously inflammable gases, as trimethyl boron [B(CH are used along with an oxidizer to produce a light signal, flare, or illuminant of a brilliant pale-green light. The energy of the trimethyl boron gas is controlled through a metering valve from the gas container to an orifice or nozzle where it ignites spontaneously by virtue of its reaction to air. A container of oxygen is also controlled through a metering valve to an orifice or nozzle in the combustion area of the gas nozzle. By proportioning the gases with these metering valves the flame color can be modified. As in other flares the device of this invention is not destroyed and may be used again and again by refilling the containers with the gases. The device also is under the control of the operator to turn on and off or to control in brilliance and volume. Accordingly, it is a general object to provide a selfigniting illuminant device using a pyrophoric gas and oxygen in controlled proportions to adjust brilliance and energy expended, or to turn on and off at will.

Brief description of the drawing These and other objects and the attendant advantages, features, and uses will become more apparent as a more detailed description proceeds when considered along with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the light signal, flare, or illuminant device of this invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the orifice or nozzle connected to the trimethyl boron gas cylinder in FIGURE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1 an oxygen cylinder 10 and a cylinder 11 of trimethyl boron, B(CH or other suitable pyrophoric gas, are held together by clamps 12 and 13. While the invention is illustrated as using two separate cylinders clamped as a unit, it is to be understood that a single container with two compartments therein would avoid the use of clamps and probably be more feasible in mass production. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific type of cylinders or containers. The oxygen cylinder 10 is piped by a conduit 14 to a metering valve 15, the outlet side of which is piped by the conduit 16 to a nozzle 17 in the combustion area 18. In like manner the gas cylinder 11 is connected by conduit 19 to a metering valve 20, the outlet of which is connected by conduit or pipe 21 to the nozzle 22. A clamp 23 gives rigidity to the pipes and nozzles although it may be understood that in production the pipes and nozzles may be made as a unit conserving space and weight over the illustrated embodiment.

Refering more particularly to FIGURE 2, the nozzle 22 consists of a body member 25 with a lower bore 26 to receive the pipe or conduit 21. The upper end of the body 25 has a bore 27 separated from the lower bore 26 by a Wall portion 28 through which is an orifice 29.

The upper bore 27 has a plurality of screens 30 retained by a ring 31. A screen mesh of 14 was found to be suitable although other meshes may be used. The screens provide a large surface area over which the gas passes to produce self-ignition. The nozzle 17 for oxygen may be of the generally known and used type for oxygen and will not be further explained herein.

Operation When it is desired to produce a flare, light signal, or illuminant of pale green color, the metering valve 20 is opened to release the trimethyl boron gas, B(CH or other suitable pyrophoric gas, from the cylinder 11 to the atmosphere through the nozzle 22. Oxygen gas is then released from the cylinder 10 by opening the metering valve 15 to complete the combustion spontaneously in the combustion area 18. The rate of producing illuminant energy is controlled by the valves 15 and 20. The paleness and green brilliance of the light can be controlled by the ratio of oxygen to the pyrophoric gas. When it is desirable to extinguish the flame, the valves 15 and 20 are turned to shut-off position. Reignition can be readily obtained by re-opening valves 15 and 20, and this procedure of ignition and extinguishment can be repeated for signaling purposes. The cylinders 10 and 11 can be reused by refilling, as required.

While many modifications and changes may be made in the constructional details and features of this invention by rearrangement of parts or practicing the invention with uses other than disclosed herein, Idesire to be limited in the spirit of my invention only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A controlled energy illuminant self-contained flare device comprising:

a pyrophoric gas confining means;

an oxygen gas confining means attached to said pyrophoric gas confining means;

3 4 a pair of nozzles directed to a common combustion 3. A controlled energy illuminant device as set forth in area with one nozzle each connected by a conduit claim 2 wherein: to said pyrophoric gas confining means and to said said pyrophoric gas is trimethyl boron. oxygen gas confining means, respectively; and a metering valve in each conduit to control the flow 5 References Cited of said gases through said nozzles to said combus- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion area whereby the illuminant can be turned on without flame ignition and off repeatedly, con- "6 2 5 trolled in intensity, and controlled in color content 637269 11/1899 Lme 6790 for signaling and flare illumination. 10 3 08 411 4/1963 D 67 7 2. A controlled energy illuminant devioe as set forth aug er y 1 Wherem: JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

said nozzle connected to said pyrophonc gas has a plurality of screens therein over which said pyrophoric gas passes to the atmosphere. 15 43 126 

